Bought a map of Assynt in the far north west Scotland. In the contours and other symbols, there promises a strange landscape with that one steep hump dominating.
The remoteness means a long walk in, probably totalling 25 miles for the day.
At least this week’s walk in the Carneddeau proves that my stamina is adequate.
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Posted from a mobile.
12,cloudy, strong westerly.
Breakfast was a cooked English at the Pinnacle Cafe in Capel Curig. There, I decided on the plan for the day. The rain promised did not show this morning, so I chose the more ambitious idea. I would climb Carnedd Llewellyn and return by the back route. That rather brief label hides the long trek back along two lakes and a lengthy descent down marshy grasslands.
The track that runs along this lake has streams and puddles with black dots in the more stable ones. Though late and light was fading, I stopped to stir with a finger to sate my curiosity. They were tadpoles. A cute sight, but I suppose they may only last a short time; not because the puddles would dry up- this is Wales. I fear for them if a bird were to discover them wriggling in the water.
The final stage of the walk was along a water channel in increasing rain. By now, I was certainly tired. Once at camp, I measured out the route which revealed the surprising figure of 22 miles.
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6~14C, S brisk, clear.
Thirty years ago I first set eyes on this mountain. That was a Youth Hosteling trip with my brother on cheap, unreliable bikes. The day we arrived was warm sunshine and we both got sunburnt. The second day it rained heavily and a landslide closed the main road. We were, therefore stuck here a few days. In all of this, Tryfan stuck in my mind. It looked ominous those days. It looks like a clenched fist on the valley side.
Today, I climbed it. I took the Heather Terrace route on the east face. Conditions were perfect but it was three hours climbing.
The title- bimble is a new word to me. They use it here to mean an easy walk, like amble, stroll, plod and all the rest. Clearly, there is a need for a word with a comedy tone.
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Dream of fish. Washing up after the lodger had a dinner party, I found some small fish in the warm washing up water, in with the bubbles. There was also a larger one, floating on its side.
Quick decision, put them in the garden pond.
As often with dreams, there followed some confusion with various other fish. I put them in a bucket to carry out, but one big fish, perhaps a pike, jumped out at me then plunged back into the same bucket.
Eventually, I got the bucket out to the ponds, by now my little pond had four sections. I emptied the bucket into one of these only to see another extraordinary sight. A marlin type grabbed itself a meal in its beak like mouth.
I don’t often remember dreams, especially one as odd as this.
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My Linn Sondek can barely turn the platter. The motor has very little torque. They are two phase 12v as far as I know. My guess is that one channel has failed on the Valhalla board or the motor itself. The former is quite an expensive repair. It is one that failed once before, not long after I bought it in 1986. Back then, it was covered by the guarantee.
Here it is with the platter removed while I check the belt.
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Posted from a mobile.
6C, cold day with hard frost.
Poor magnolia was burnt by the hard frost on Tuesday morning. Cold weather waited for spring before visiting us.
This is quite an early flowering variety, so it’s vulnerable really.
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7C, brisk SW, little rain, sunny.
cycle CA: Distance: 55.25mi, time: 04:00:51, speed: 13.4
http://mapmyride.com/workout/480462793
Spring is coming, not here yet even though many Snowdrops are out. The air does not yet smell of spring sweetness though.
Relief though, my troublesome ankle was no real problem. I was worried about that. I am making a big effort to push long quick pedal strokes, pushing heels low. I suspect that it’s toes down cadence that causes the problem. I have to get this right, if I am to do those big rides later in the year.
Last summer, I did one ride of 100 miles in one day, but this year I want several. Maybe pushing the distance more each time. Wouldn’t it be great to do 140 in one day.
There were floods, four that I had to ride through.
An excellent ride.
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rode home with MapMyRide! Distance: 37.98mi, time: 02:48:08, speed: 13.55mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/459607041
Slow ride with floods, rain and sorrow. I was in no state to consider work, sympathetic colleagues sent me home. They even suggested a bike ride, if that helps.
It did.
Near Elford, a large horse wandered up and down in the inundated flood-plain. It seemed to be exploring and sploshing its hooves in the shallow water. It was like a child playing out after a storm in its Wellingtons.
The horse is just visible, right of centre.
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7°C, more storms & S wind
The tracking app I use my phone posted this summary for 2013’s mileage.
284 workouts
275 routes
5,206.6 miles
421.2 hours
414,268 kCal burned
Better than last year, and I’d like to break 6,000 miles in 2014. Barring unforseen…
I rode with MapMyRide! Distance: 37.45mi, time: 02:39:28, speed: 14.09mi/h.
http://mapmyride.com/workout/448782769
A pretty poor average speed, though I did have my school bag on the back and many roads were coated in slimey red mud.
What a fine way to end a long term!
Most years, I get home and feel a bit of anti-climax. Today, I buzzed with energy and a deep contentment.
I would have lost my mind years ago if there was no physical release like this. Car drivers must have boundless patience and resilience to do the daily commute. All those hours accumulated in traffic jams. Months of your life spent sitting, waiting,polluting. The expense! You have to admire them.
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Micycle 